Government disburses a fourth of the allocated funds for celebrations

Hassan (Karnataka), June 22, 2017: As preparations being in the earnest for Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola in Hassan district, the state government has released a fourth of the allocated funds for the grand ceremony that is commemorated once in 12 years.
The government has earmarked Rs 175 crore in total for the celebrations in February next year. The funds have been allocated under a special scheme. Of the total funds, Rs 43.75 crore has already been disbursed under the miscellaneous expenditure category. The order to release the funds was issued on June 12. “The money is likely to be credited to the Hassan deputy commissioner’s account before the end of this week,” sources said. The funds will also be used to develop local infrastructure.
A state-level committee with the Hassan DC as its member secretary has been constituted to monitor utilisation of funds for the Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations. While the committee has been empowered to ensure that all arrangements are in place to accommodate the enormous crowd expected for the celebrations, the government has placed a few conditions for using the funds.
Besides having to obtain approval from the government for using the funds, a “watch register” listing the purposes for which the money was spent on must be maintained. The document is to be produced every three months to the commissioner of the muzrai or endowment department. Confirming that the government had disbursed a quarter of the allocated funds for the Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations, Hassan DC V Chaitra told TOI, “We have prepared a list of works that need to be taken up ahead of the celebrations, and funds will be distributed accordingly among the various departments.”
Of the total funds, the public works department will be given Rs 112 crore, of which Rs 75 crore will be used for the construction of temporary townships to house the pilgrims and devotees. – News Courtesy: Times of India

Bahubali Mahamasthakabhisheka – 2018

Mahamasthakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony is performed once in 12 years to the 57 feet high monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola. The event is being be held under the leadership of His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of Shravanabelagola from 17th-25th February 2018.